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Expert advice, market reports, and tips from the Niagara Region real estate professionals.
One of the highlights of the RE/MAX Garden City Realty social calendar is always our annual Christmas Gala, generally held a week to 10 days before Christmas. Of course there are a lot of social activities interspersed throughout the year: Hackers Golf, Broker Fall BBQ, Administrators’ Day, Awards Celebrations and Gala and numerous parties and celebrations. But our Christmas Gala is not to be missed. First held in 1984, our inaugural year, and every Christmas season since, it’s undergone a lot of changes of venue over that time. For a number of years it was held in Niagara Falls at the Commissioners Quarters. At the Old Stone Inn. Then at the Parkway Inn in St. Catharines, after which we moved to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, and most recently to Club Roma here in St. Catharines.
I am so proud of the men and women of RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc., salespeople, brokers and support staff alike. And of course, our affiliate companies that are always so supportive: Dominion Lending Centres Easy Street Mortgages and Liddiard Law Group. They are always so willing to give. Regardless of the circumstances, when a need arises, they are there.
Over the years Halloween has taken on a lot of different shapes and sizes here at RE/MAX Garden City. Usually a party. Generally, a lot of agents decked out in creative costumes. Sometimes special prizes for the best outfit. Originally most of the activity happened at our front lobby. Walk in and you couldn’t help but notice it was Halloween. The decorations, including life size mannequins greeted you with a macabre ‘hello’.
Like a lot of traditions here at RE/MAX Garden City Realty, our Broker BBQ has experienced a lot of changes over the years. Originally it was a backyard BBQ held at the home of our Broker, Wayne Quirk. But that was when his yard didn’t have a pool and land space was plentiful.
Next to our Christmas Gala, probably the longest-standing tradition we have at RE/MAX Garden City Realty is our “Hackers” Golf Tournament. And it’s always a lot of fun.
Each year in April the powers that be set aside one day to honor Administrative staff around the Globe – Administrators Day. It’s an important day for us at RE/MAX Garden City Realty because our Admin staff are so critical to the efficient running of our operation. And quite frankly they are the best!
Two years ago. Spring of 2020. We got together at Club Roma to celebrate the sales successes of 2019 by the men and women of RE/MAX Garden City Realty. It was a gala event. Women in formal gowns, men in tuxedos. Lots of glitz and glamour. COVID had just appeared on the scene. No one at that time was aware of exactly what impact this new Pandemic would have or the time it would run. As it turned out, just one week later public gatherings were reduced in size to the point that a celebration of this type would not have been possible.
They say there is no bad time to have a party. And while that may be true, it seemed to us with winter in the rearview mirror, COVID restrictions being eased significantly and St. Patrick’s Day almost upon us, that March 17th would be an excellent time for a celebration. So, we earmarked the date for our very first RE/MAX Garden City Realty St. Patrick’s Day Bash.
A lot has changed in the 40+ years since I first entered the real estate profession. Back in 1980 contracts were written on paper, by hand, with the use of carbon paper – ‘press hard, there are 6 copies!’. Presentation was done face to face with the Listing and Selling Agents both being present. Inventory was presented to Agents by way of a catalogue which came out once a week. Consumers were not allowed access for some reason.